Missouri Republican’s antigay slur-filled posts remain on Instagram despite violating Meta’s policies
Author: Christopher Wiggins
Valentina Gomez, a RepublicanGomez, a 25-year-old real estate investor from Colombia, has gained notoriety throughout her campaign for her aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric. This latest incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding her candidacy. According to GLAAD’s Accountability Project, Gomez has a history of using incendiary language and actions to gain attention.
The Accountability Project catalogs anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and discriminatory actions of politicians, commentators, organization heads, religious leaders, and legal figures who have used their platforms, influence, and power to spread misinformation and harm LGBTQ people.
In February, Gomez posted a video of herself burning LGBTQ-themed books with a flamethrower, declaring, “This is what I will do to the grooming books when I become secretary of state. These books come from a Missouri public library. When I’m in office, they will burn.”
Gomez also told voters via a video post on social media in May, “In America, you can be anything you want, so don’t be weak and gay. Stay fucking hard.” The video then cuts to a photo of Gomez holding a handgun and an assault rifle. In the video, Gomez is jogging, wearing a military-style vest. She has not served in the U.S. military.
Gomez has previously posted that the Biden administration is “weak and gay.” In a follow-up campaign video, also jogging, she complained that her planned run was ruined by “weak and gay people that always find a way to mess things up, so fuck you, and watch me become Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State.” She has said she plans to receive an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Despite the crowded field of candidates for the Republican nomination for secretary of state, none have publicly condemned her extreme rhetoric. Eight Republicans, including Gomez, are running for the position.
The primary elections in Missouri are set for Tuesday, and Gomez’s controversial tactics have intensified scrutiny on her campaign. Her platform includes “protecting children against the transgender agenda,” “securing the Second Amendment,” and opposing vaccine mandates.
Last month, Gomez attacked state Rep. Barbara Phifer, one of the Democrats running for the same office, by accusing her of raising a “groomer” and suggesting she belongs in a nursing home. Phifer, who has a transgender grandchild, responded by emphasizing the importance of protecting all children from hate and bigotry.
Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Christopher Wiggins
